Some might have been underwhelmed by the line-up or turned off by memories of last year’s mud, but an estimated 35,000 music fans still think Splendour in the Grass is worth saving up for.
The event, which was once sold out in a matter of minutes, has single-day tickets available for the 2023 edition, costing about $200.
Times might be tough, but the asking price wasn’t going to deter Brisbane woman Renae Williams, who travelled from Brisbane with her family to attend.
“The line-up is not the greatest, but we came for the experience,” she said.
“We’ve forked out a bit so we could bring our son and have an amazing time.
“We may find that we’re worse off after Splendour, but it’s worth it for one weekend away with our friends and our family, and we’re happy to be here.”
Renae Williams says she and her family came to the festival for the experience. (Bruce MacKenzie: ABC North Coast)
Newcastle woman Jessica Hemmy was at last year’s mud-marred event but had no hesitation in coming again.
“No way. It was such a vibe last year,” she said.
“Even in the mud, everyone was just having a great old time.
“It’s the one time of year I take a vacation for myself, so yeah, I make it work.”
Jessica Hemmy says she enjoyed even last year’s mud-marred festival. (ABC North Coast: Bruce MacKenzie)
Kyle Scott came down from Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with two friends for his first Splendour experience.
“Can’t wait. We’re going to get in that amphitheatre and just crack it open,” he said.
“We had to camp in Burleigh Heads to save money just for tonight and tomorrow night.”
About 35,000 tickets have been sold for this year’s event, which is a drop of 30 per cent from last year.
But festival co-producer Jessica Ducrou said it was still sustainable as they had operated at that number for a number of years.
“I think that we’re all pretty realistic coming out of the show last year and in the current economy, that it would be very difficult to achieve 50,000 tickets,” she said.
“We’re really happy with the results and the amount of people that are here at the show.
“I strongly believe that people still want the experience, but everyone’s recovering from what has been a pretty traumatic number of years.”
Splendour in the Grass still attracts thousands of music fans. (ABC North Coast: Bruce MacKenzie)
Meanwhile, musicians are enjoying the chance to be back in front of large Australian crowds.
Los Angeles synth-rock act Automatic is in Australia for the second time this year for a mix of headline and support shows, as well as a set at Splendour in the Grass.
The trio has played shows around the world, but said they were excited to revisit the “super fun and friendly” Australian crowds.
“Paris is a really fun crowd, and Australia, Texas gets really crazy. There’s definitely a difference [between countries],” said drummer and vocalist Lola Dompé.
“I feel like LA and New York a bit more stuck up, not to shade, but it’s more fun playing Australia,” said bandmate Izzy Glaudini.
Malaysia's government halted a music festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, a day after the frontman of British pop rock band The 1975 kissed a male bandmate onstage and criticised the country's anti-LGBT laws. "There will be no compromise against any party that challenges, disparages and violates Malaysian laws," Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a Twitter post after meeting with the organisers of the Good Vibes Festival, a three-day event set to run until Sunday.
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